Impairment of spinal CSF flow precedes immune cell infiltration in an active EAE model.

Accumulation of immune cells and proteins in the subarachnoid space (SAS) is found during multiple sclerosis and in the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Whether the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along the SAS of the spinal cord is impacted is yet unknown. Combining intravital near-infrared (NIR) imaging with histopathological analyses, we observed a significantly impaired bulk flow of CSF tracers within the SAS of the spinal cord prior to EAE onset, which persisted until peak stage and was only partially recovered during chronic disease.

Caffeine, Alcohol, and Drug Use as Work Adjuncts Among Neurosurgeons. Prevalence, Contributing Factors, and Proposed Strategies.

Background: Neurosurgeons may resort to caffeine, alcohol, and various drugs to maintain peak performance as they grapple with work demands and escalated stress. The prevalence of this controversial strategy remains largely unexplored.

Methods: An anonymous survey of 23 questions formulated by our research group was distributed through personal contacts and neurosurgical societies.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor controls the function of CNS-resident macrophages and their contribution to neuroinflammation.

Signaling by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is essential for the development of the central nervous system (CNS) and regulates neuronal survival and myelination in the adult CNS. In neuroinflammatory conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), IGF-1 can regulate cellular survival and activation in a context-dependent and cell-specific manner. Notwithstanding its importance, the functional outcome of IGF-1 signaling in microglia/macrophages, which maintain CNS homeostasis and regulate neuroinflammation, remains undefined.

Gender differences in work-life balance of European neurosurgeons.

Introduction: Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding medical specialties. For neurosurgeons, balancing professional activity with personal life can be challenging.

Research Question: To evaluate gender differences in contribution of neurosurgeons in the household and child-rearing, as well as their impact on personal life and career.

Autoimmune neuroinflammation triggers mitochondrial oxidation in oligodendrocytes.

Oligodendrocytes (ODCs) are myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS) supporting neuronal survival. Oxidants and mitochondrial dysfunction have been suggested as the main causes of ODC damage during neuroinflammation as observed in multiple sclerosis (MS). Nonetheless, the dynamics of this process remain unclear, thus hindering the design of neuroprotective therapeutic strategies.

Central Nervous System Barriers Impact Distribution and Expression of iNOS and Arginase-1 in Infiltrating Macrophages During Neuroinflammation.

In multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neuroinflammatory diseases, monocyte-derived cells (MoCs) traffic through distinct central nervous system (CNS) barriers and gain access to the organ parenchyma exerting detrimental or beneficial functions. How and where these MoCs acquire their different functional commitments during CNS invasion remains however unclear, thus hindering the design of MS treatments specifically blocking detrimental MoC actions. To clarify this issue, we investigated the distribution of iNOS pro-inflammatory and arginase-1 anti-inflammatory MoCs at the distinct border regions of the CNS in a mouse model of MS.

Dwellers and Trespassers: Mononuclear Phagocytes at the Borders of the Central Nervous System.

The central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma is enclosed and protected by a multilayered system of cellular and acellular barriers, functionally separating glia and neurons from peripheral circulation and blood-borne immune cells. Populating these borders as dynamic observers, CNS-resident macrophages contribute to organ homeostasis. Upon autoimmune, traumatic or neurodegenerative inflammation, these phagocytes start playing additional roles as immune regulators contributing to disease evolution.

Four Athenas - Europe's first female neurosurgeons.

In the early 20th century, a tumultuous era was yielding geopolitical and social change. Europe at large was undergoing redefinition of borders, political structures, and economies, while rebuilding societies after World War I. At the same time, neurosurgery was emerging as a new specialty, and women were allowed to study medicine for the first time in many European countries.

Emergency medicine in the general practice internship in Finnmark county.

Background: It is preferred that duty doctors in municipal health services participate in call-outs in emergency situations. The frequency of participation has previously been shown to vary. We wanted to examine the newly qualified doctors’ expectations and experiences – both before and after the general practice internship – of emergency medicine and ambulance call-outs.

Early-life stress lastingly alters the neuroinflammatory response to amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Exposure to stress during the sensitive period of early-life increases the risk to develop cognitive impairments and psychopathology later in life. In addition, early-life stress (ES) exposure, next to genetic causes, has been proposed to modulate the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however evidence for this hypothesis is currently lacking. We here tested whether ES modulates progression of AD-related neuropathology and assessed the possible contribution of neuroinflammatory factors in this.